National Eisteddfod Academy Young Performer Awards 2011 2011-05-16 A total amount of R30,000 is at stake in the eight annual National Eisteddfod Academy Young Performer Awards that will be presented at the Joburg ProMusica Theatre on Saturday 21 May.
Sixty-four individual performers and groups, selected from 1100 entries, will be competing for inclusion in this prestigious final event during the semi final rounds for Classical Music, Contemporary Music, Dance and Drama from the 10th – 13th May, also at the ProMusica Theatre. Tickets for all events are on...

Present History opens in May 2011-05-13 You are invited to
Present History
A mixed media group exhibition by Karlien de Villiers, Marna Hattingh, Haidee Nel & Diana Hyslop.
Opening reception takes place on Wednesday 25 May @ 6 – 8pm
Heidi Erdmann is proud to announce that Present History is the first in a series of exhibitions which mark the 10th anniversary of her gallery. This opening coincides with a street party in the newly pedestrianised Shortmarket street.
The Photographers Gallery za, G2Art, Avoova & Linde...

Arianna String Quartet from USA at Unisa2011-05-12 The fine Arianna String Quartet from the USA, will give a chamber music recital at the Enoch Sontonga Chamber Music Hall at Unisa’s Sunnyside Campus on Wednesday 18 May at 19:30. The concert will last for two hours.
The musicians are John McGrosso (violin), David Gillham (violin), Joanna Mendoza (viola) and Kurt Baldwin (cello).
Hailed for their outstanding musicianship, the Arianna String Quartet has firmly established itself as one of America's finest chamber ensembles. Formed in 1992,...

Disgraceland! JM Coetzee Festival in Richmond, May 2011Darryl David - 2011-05-11 Booktown Richmond’s 5th Anniversary May 2011 Good Morning Karoosters Can you believe it, we are already in May, and that means only one thing this year: DISGRACELAND!!!
Yes, from the 27-28 May, Booktown Richmond will be transformed into J.M. Coetzee country as we celebrate the first J.M. Coetzee Festival on South African soil.
Let me at the outset say that this has by far been the most difficult festival I have ever planned. But I want to thank Professor Gareth Cornwell for being the inspiration...

Q&A with Athol Fugard after The Bird Watchers previews 2011-05-11 Tonight is the first of two preview performances of Athol Fugard’s The Bird Watchers, premièring at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town. After both the preview performances, on 10 and 11 May, Fugard will be on stage to answer questions from the audience about his latest play.
Tonight’s Q&A session will be facilitated by Daniel Galloway, the Fugard Theatre’s general manager, and by author Justin Cartwright tomorrow night.
The Bird Watchers is Fugard’s latest world...

Free residential writers and editors workshop for isiXhosa first language speakers 2011-05-11 New Readers Publishers, Centre for Adult Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban is offering a free residential writers and editors workshop for isiXhosa first language speakers
Dates:
24 th – 27 th July 2011
Venue:
This is an intensive residential workshop to be held at a venue near East London.
Cost:
The workshop, including accommodation (sharing) and all meals, is being offered free of charge to successful applicants.
Content:
The workshop focuses on writing easy to...

Feast of live performances at GIPCA’s ‘the names we give’ 2011-05-11 GIPCA will host two unique jazz concerts and provocative performances as part of the programme for ‘the names we give’, a weekend long event of performances, jazz, film, public interventions and a groupthink called ‘Delicious Sensations’. Facilitated by Donald Gordon Creative Arts Award Winner, Raél Jero Salley, the event runs from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 May at the UCT’s Hiddingh Campus.
As part of the opening of ‘the names we give’ at 18:00 on Friday...

Ladysmith Black Mambazo headlines 2011 Standard Bank Jazz Festival 2011-05-10 The 2011 Standard Bank Jazz Festival (SBJF), Grahamstown runs from 30 June to 9 July, incorporating the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival (SBNYJF).
Headlining the SBJF this year is Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South Africa’s top-selling musical group that was formed in 1960 by Joseph Shabalala, now a visiting Professor at the University of Natal. Shabalala celebrates his 70th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his founding of the three-time Grammy-award winning group with a major international...

Arts critics duel at Great Texts Big Questions2011-05-09 The GIPCA Great Texts / Big Questions lecture on 12 May at 17:30 will see Riason Naidoo in a verbal duel with Sean O'Toole.
This public lecture happens on the eve of the GIPCA “the names we give”-symposium, on from 13 – 15 May.
“Shoot! Image and Text: A discussion on curating, art criticism and maybe football too” will be a two-way question and answer session between Naidoo (director of Iziko South African National Gallery) and O'Toole (art critic and former editor...

Voices of African artists living and working in Cape Town2011-05-09 A collection of narratives of African artists currently living and working in the Western Cape is one of two publications to be launched by the African Arts Institute (AFAI) at the Franschhoek Literary Festival on 14 May. The other is a Birthday Calendar featuring writers from across the African continent.
Voices: A compilation of testimonials: African Artists Living & Working in Cape Town was commissioned by the African Arts Institute as part of the organisation’s ongoing African Diaspora...

Cape Consort holds a series of concerts2011-05-06 The Cape Consort – a group of 6 singers and 2 basso continuo players – is a new local ensemble committed to stylish performances of (mostly) Early Music. Cellist and composer Hans Huyssen and harpsichordist Andrew Cruickshank, who have been collaborating for years, have joined forces with Lente Louw and Antoinette Blyth (sopranos), Nick de Jager, Nico Holtzhausen, Lance Phillip (tenors) and Charles Ainslie (bass-baritone). The group aims to establish a constant presence in the Cape exploring...

Agatha Christie at the Masque Theatre2011-05-05 Agatha Christie’s fine mystery novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was adapted for the stage by Michael Morton under the title Alibi. Cecil Jakins directs this play for the Fish Hoek Dramatic Society. It opens at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg, on Friday 13 May – an appropriately sinister date for a murder mystery?
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was the first of Agatha Christie’s novels to be staged and the play follows the book closely. Alibi (with a cast of 12) is full of the usual...

Indian conductor and Montenegro violinist to star in JPO concert in Pretoria2011-05-05 The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra has started their new symphony season this week in the Linder Auditorium under the baton of Singaporean-born Indian conductor, George Mathew. The Montenegrian violinist, Roman Simovic, will be the soloist, playing on a XVII century Roggerius violin. He is currently serving as concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra.
The concert will be the first of three to be repeated in Pretoria in Unisa’s ZK Matthews Great Hall on Sunday, 8 May, at 15:00.
The...

Exhibition: Past winners of the PPC Cement Young Concrete Sculptor Awards (YCSA) Competition2011-05-03 The year 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of PPC Cement’s annual national Young Concrete Sculptor Awards competition. The competition attracts and inspires young artists to create and enter exceptional artworks using the distinctive medium of concrete.
The PPC Young Concrete Sculptor Awards, run in partnership with the Association of Arts Pretoria, has grown in stature since it began in 1992 and has become one of South Africa’s most prestigious art competitions. PPC Cement and the Association...

Acclaimed performer Gaëtan Schmid at Kalk Bay Theatre2011-05-03 Acclaimed performer Gaëtan Schmid will première his new show, Body Language at Kalk Bay Theatre from 3-28 May.
After touring nationally and internationally for the last three years with the award-winning and popular RUMPSTEAK, Gaëtan moves from the food that delights us to the human gestures that unite us.
As in The Dog’s Bollocks, Gaëtan, in his very own hilarious and informative way, will entertain audiences with a fascinating subject: the secret language of the human...

Fugard Honors Profound Friendships in The Bird Watchers2011-04-29 The Bird Watchers is Athol Fugard’s latest world première to be staged on the Fugard Theatre stage from 10 May to 4 June. He dedicates his latest work to two defining friendships from his early years in theatre in South Africa, namely those with Barney Simon and Yvonne Bryceland.
“It celebrates the memorable hours we spent watching birds and talking in the shade of the umGwenya tree at my home in the Eastern Cape. Although the characters in the play are a Playwright, a Director...

Van Graan takes SA theatre to International Literature Fest in US2011-04-29 Award-winning playwright, cultural activist and author of the weekly blog, The Cultural Weapon, Mike van Graan, is one of five African writers, residing in Africa, represented at the PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature in New York City from 25 April to 1 May.
Van Graan, Executive Director of the African Arts Institute in Cape Town, will join Nigerian Nobel Prize-winner Wole Soyinka, Leila Aboulela (Sudan/Qatar), Mahi Binebine ( Morocco) and Peter Godwin ( Zimbabwe) at the annual...

BrandsRock: Our work is our music2011-04-28 Since its inception just over a year ago, BrandsRock (Pty) Ltd is growing to be one of the most exciting new marketing solutions companies in South Africa, specialising in marketing strategy, brand activation, digital engagement and music based brand events & activation.
The BrandsRock Group, under the leadership of Mike Joubert, consists of a team that blends the dynamic combination of youthful creativity and the wisdom of experience. Through their collective corporate and agency backgrounds...

The Pretty Blue Guns launch new album2011-04-28 South African rockers The Pretty Blue Guns have been steadily doing their thing since 2008, building up fans and respect across the country with their live shows and record debut Cutting Heads. Now wth the release of their follow-up Shed Your Skin, the band embarks on the first part of their nation-wide tour.
20 April // Bloemfontein // The Aasvoelklub
21 April // MK Studio1 // Wolves Cafe
22 April // Johannesburg // The Bohemian
23 April // Pretoria // Tings 'n Times
26 April // SABC 3 //...

SA New Plays Phase 22011-04-26 New writers are invited to apply for the second phase of the South African New Plays Writing Programme. The South African New Plays Writing Programme is presented by the Wits Theatre in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture, the British Council, Sustained Theatre UK, the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, Artscape, the South African State Theatre and the Space.com at Joburg Theatre. "The Programme has been conceived to provide support in the space that exists between the idea for...

Phillip Miller's REwind: A Cantata for Voice, Tape & Testimony at the Baxter in May2011-04-21 Phillip Miller’s REwind: A Cantata for Voice, Tape & Testimony
Conceived and composed by Philip Miller
Designed and directed by Gerhard Marx
Featuring Sibongile Khumalo, Otto Maidi, Stéfan Louw, Nozuko Teto
At the Baxter Theatre from 12 to 14 May
"The Cantata brought together the cry of our country - our pain and fears, our hopes and especially our triumphs and joys in the way we as South Africans can best express these emotions-in music and song. It was a deeply moving,...

Kasi concert rescheduled due to bad weather2011-04-20 The recent Kasi Funfair at Dorothy Nyembe Park ushered a new era of family entertainment into the heart of Soweto, and local residents showed their approval by turning up in great numbers. “Attendances were most heartening,” says organiser Nomsa Sibeko, who had also ensured that the funfair had a strong element of local social upliftment. She adds: “The support that we saw will ensure that this family event becomes an annual one.” Concert rained out – but not to...

Old's Cool at The Barnyard this June. Not to be missed!2011-04-19 Fun will be spelled with a capital “F” this June at The Barnyard Theatre Willowbridge with Old’s Cool – The Party.
Name of show: Old’s Cool – The Party
Director: Rafiek Mammon
Dates & Times: Wednesday 1 June to Saturday 4 June at 8pm nightly
Venue: Barnyard Theatre, Willowbridge
Ticket prices: R100 per person, R80 for block bookings of 50 or more
Booking: 021 914 8898 or book on-line at www.barnyardtheatre.co.za
Don your old school uniform, get...

Fugard Theatre Announces New Seats and Bioscope2011-04-19 Following the sold out season of Broken Glass with Sir Antony Sher, which ended on Saturday night, The Fugard Theatre is replacing all of its existing seating and installing new theatre style individual seats throughout the theatre.
The work will be completed in time for the two live performances of Vusi Mahlasela on April 29 and 30, and the opening night of Athol Fugard’s new play The Bird Watchers on May 10, which Fugard is directing. Rehearsals are in full swing at the theatre.
General...

Search is on for SA’s best young instrumentalists 2011-04-19 Young instrumentalists are invited to apply to take part in the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2011 Youth Concerto Festival in August.
Entries for this vibrant annual showcase of up-and-coming musical excellence close on 6 May 2011, with live auditions taking place on 28 May 2011. Should applicants be out of town or unavailable on 28 May, the JPO audition panel will accept a live DVD (not an audio CD) recording of their audition performance. Only a handful of the country’s most...

From Earls Court with Love: Trendspott ing at the 40th London Book Fair 2011-04-18 Anyone who is anyone in literature knows that the London Book Fair is the place to see and be seen. In fact, some 23,000 anyone’s descended upon London’s Earl Court between 11 and 13 April recently to do just that.
Coinciding nicely with our winning bid for the Soccer World Cup, South Africa was last year’s market focus. This year, the organiser’s chose to shine the literary spotlight on Mother Russia, her contemporary authors and her role in the global publishing arena....

Headliners and History on 2011 National Arts Festival Main Programme 2011-04-18 A spirit of artistic innovation with a range of national, continental and world premieres in theatre, dance, music and visual art will be celebrated at this year’s National Arts Festival, running from 30 June – 10 July in Grahamstown.
“The artists come from everywhere, all disciplines, and are amongst the most excellent, courageous, thoughtful, provocative and iconic,” said Jay Pather, National Arts Festival committee chairperson. “The Festival attracts the best...

Chamber concert in honour of Niel van der Watt 2011-04-18 The Unisa Music Foundation is proud to present a concert of chamber music exclusively by South African composer Niel van der Watt, as performed by the Trio Chalumeau.
The ensemble has been formed in 2004. Soprano Deidre Blignaut will join the performance for the piece Vier elemente for voice and piano.
Trio Chalumeau, consisting of Lizet Smith (clarinet), Susan Mouton (cello) and Annalien Ball (piano) will perform a programme of trios and duos by this composer, born and bred in Pretoria. He is...

Sunnyboy Releases Debut Album Let it Play2011-04-15 The intricate and captivating guitar work of Sunnyboy Mthimunye has been intriguing audiences for years. Having performed and toured the world with top acts such as Bongo Maffin, Mafikizolo, Thandiswa Mazwai and HHP, it is only natural that he now presents the music industry with his own dose of musical bliss.
This vibrant labour of love debut, Let It Play, is a fusion of jazz, African rhythms, adult contemporary, lounge and more. Sunnyboy says "I have been working with all these different artists...